Surat: Surat police have claimed to have uncovered an alleged interstate hawala-linked political funding network involving Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionaries, with around Rs 1.25 crore routed from Delhi to Surat through an angadiya channel.According to the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) and Umra police, the cash was allegedly sent by Himanshu Pahuja, a Delhi-based businessman, and reportedly received in Surat by AAP workers Akash Mishra and Ajay Tiwari.Addressing the media, DCP (crime) Bhavesh Rojiya said police received a tip-off about the transfer and intercepted the trail. “We have questioned Mishra and prima facie found that the funds were meant for local elections in Surat. More angadiya firms and around ten persons are suspected to be linked to the network. The income tax department has also been informed,” he said.Police said Pahuja, a resident of Janakpuri in Delhi, is allegedly linked to the network as a key sender of funds. Mishra, based in Piplod, and Tiwari are suspected to have acted as local receivers and distributors.Investigators believe the money was routed through informal channels and distributed locally. A video released by the crime branch purportedly shows Mishra and Tiwari at an angadiya firm handling large amounts of cash.Further investigation is underway to trace the full extent of the network and identify other persons involve.
